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Why Do We Do That? Series

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Girlfriends with Danielle Bean

A Podcast for    Catholic Women

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6 Toddler Hacks for Weary Moms  

3 Ways to Declutter

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"Be Light" Date Night Series 

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RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS

Parents Just Don’t Understand
Anybody remember the old rap song by the Fresh Prince, aka Will Smith, “Parents Just Don’t Understand?” As we grow up, it is sometimes a struggle for us to imagine that our parents understand us. It can seem impossible that Mom and Dad remember the stress of exam week or peer pressure. We never saw them as children; we never saw their disappointed faces when they weren’t invited to a party, or their dashed hopes at a bad test grade. We never saw them homesick their first week of college or nervous to ask their crush to Homecoming.

We’re often the same way about God. We gripe about what He asks of us. “He doesn’t understand sin — he’s all-good,” we think. “He doesn’t understand temptation — He is perfect.”

In Scripture, God can be very much a father, telling us what we can and cannot do. And yet, in His divine genius, He is sometimes simply a man at a well, asking for a drink.
 
For me, it turns out I didn’t need to tell my parents anything about what I was going through as a kid — they knew already. What I needed was for them to tell me what to do, and how to do it.

Similarly, we don’t need to tell God about human nature. We need God to tell us about His nature. He’s good enough to ask us for a drink, to enter into our humanity. But we have to remember, for our own sakes, to have the humility to ask Him for something, too — the water that will quench our eternal thirst.

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS


When Sacrifice Becomes Mundane
It seems to happen every year, like clockwork: we drag a bit, as we enter into the second week of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, we feel a bit like soldiers banging our shields, rushing into battle. “We’re ready, God!” our hearts cry out. “Transform us through sacrifice! Your will be done!”

But by now, these Lenten resolutions are no longer novelties — they’ve joined the ranks of everyday inconveniences, which somehow are the hardest to bear. Because transformation, in real life, happens in inches, just as a battle is won slowly in the crash of one sword against another. It’s not always a dramatic thing, to the naked eye. It’s the perseverance in prayer despite weariness, or the continual denial of some pleasure even though there’s that nagging voice in our minds saying: go ahead, God doesn’t really mind.

It’s a week when we all need a shock to the system — and wouldn’t you know it, this Sunday God gives us a double-whammy of dramatic sacrificial scenes. We picture Abraham, who also cried “Ready!” when God called, never imagining what He would ask: the surrender of his long-awaited son. We see Christ himself transfigured, as God shows us what He is ready to give up for love of us.

We must remain committed, persevering daily in acknowledging that everything belongs to God. What we sacrifice, we simply give back to Him.

If God is for us, who can be against us? Can we still reply, “Ready!” when we hear the call of God?

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

The Unlikely Suspects
Have you ever taken a nature walk? Have you leisurely strolled through a forest or field, with no real destination in mind and your only objective being receptivity to and observation of all God’s creation?

Sometimes, Scripture readings can feel like a nature walk. All of salvation history plays out against the backdrop of the natural world, with all elements of God’s creation — plants and animals and the dust of the earth itself — turning in a supporting performance. How about Jesus in the hot and dusty desert, tempted, living “among the wild beasts?” Noah departed from his ark with the animals he rescued, observing God’s sign in the very clouds of the sky. Even God Himself, offering us salvation from original sin through the waters of baptism.

How often do we remember that God speaks to us through all of His creation, even in the unlikeliest suspects?

Let’s go back to the nature walk. It sounds like a lovely way to pass an afternoon, amongst wildflowers and butterflies, but don’t forget the beating hot sun, mosquitos, and threat of rain on the horizon. Remember, we’re not in heaven yet. Here on earth, God may be present in His creation, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to endure.

Lent is, essentially, a time to listen for the voice of God in places we may not expect: the mild irritations you experience when you’re craving the chocolate you gave up, or the dull pangs of hunger during the Ash Wednesday fast. It’s a golden opportunity to see the divine hand in all of creation, even those unlikely suspects.

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

The Unfailing Goodness of God

I have always wondered why Jesus told the cleansed leper not to publicize how he had been healed by the Son of God. It’s not that I can’t understand why Jesus would want to keep the matter quiet — after all, he knew that as soon as people heard, he would be mobbed with requests for healings, and his movements restricted.

What gets me is the fact that Jesus simply must have realized the leper would not listen to him. Why give someone a command you know they will ignore? It’s a complicated question, and when I reflect on it, I can’t help but connect it to another equally complicated question: why does God, all-good and all-knowing, allow bad things to happen?

Yes, God is all-good and all-knowing. So when He gives us free will, He knows what we will do with it. However, He is also all-powerful. He can and will bring good from any situation, any tragedy, or even any instance where someone ignores Him.

Was it a sin for this leper to do other than what Jesus had said? That’s a heavy question for a Sunday morning! But it’s plain to see that, even though this man ignored Jesus’ command, God still used his actions. How many were brought to Christ because of the news spread by this leper!

As someone trying to live out a stewardship way of life, what is God requesting of you right now?

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

Marriage and Family Enrichment from the Diocese of Owensboro - Here you will find Marriage Enrichment Programs such as Grace Marriage, Be Light and other resources for your marriage along with parenting resources.

Focus - Fellowship of Catholic University Students Blog

Diocese of Owensboro Young Adult Facebook Page

Diocese of Owensboro Marriage and Family Life Office  

Busted Halo - Busted Halo is a unique media resource that utilizes a relevant and accessible voice to help young adults understand the Catholic faith, put it into practice in their everyday lives, and share it with others

Chasitity Project Blog

Ascension Presents - Fr. Mike Schmitz videos

Newman Center - Find a Newman Center near you.  Newman Centers are residence and Catholic ministry centers at non-Catholic universities throughout the world. These centers provide pastoral services and ministries to their Catholic communities, in particular to the Roman Catholic student population within universities throughout the world.

National Young Adult Conferences in Steubenville

Murray State University Newman Center

WKU Newman Center

Brescia University Campus Ministry

SEEK a conference by FOCUS -  is an invitation to college students everywhere to explore life’s bigger questions: who we are, where we’re going and what we seek along the journey. As FOCUS’ national conference, SEEK encourages all students to come explore what they truly seek: to learn about the faith, to share in friendship, to be encouraged in their unique vocation — and to experience the love, hope and very real presence of Jesus Christ through His Church.

Hosted for five days every other year, SEEK gathers thousands of college students together from all across the country for a time of prayer, fellowship, engaging talks, inspiring entertainment — and, most importantly, a chance to encounter Christ in a life-changing way.